I know the 2022 season isn’t officially over yet, but there is no better time than the present to start getting your IDP portfolios for 2023 in order. In this article, I have picked three teams that have impending roster decisions ahead and a player destined for a breakout season. Now’s the time to add these IDP stocks before other investors find out about them. Let’s dive into these next man up options.
Bryce Huff, DE, New York
Up first is the New York Jets and their potential opening at defensive end. They drafted Jermaine Johnson in the 1st round of last year's draft and he’s going to be their top pass rusher for a long time. The opening is on the other side, which is currently held down by Carl Lawson whose time in New York has been a disappointment mostly due to injuries. He missed all of 2021 with a torn Achilles but bounced back with seven sacks this past season. Only the first two years of his 3-year/$45m deal were guaranteed, so the Jets may look at a cheaper and younger option to pair with Johnson.
That younger option is already on their roster and is still on a rookie deal that cost way less than the cost to keep Lawson. The Jets drafted Huff from the Memphis Tigers in 2020 and have watched him develop into an efficient pass rusher. This past season he just 173 pass rush snaps while producing 32 pressures, ten QB hits, and 3½ sacks. Huff hasn’t missed a tackle in the past two seasons or 767 combined defense and special team snaps. The question in the room is what can he do with a bigger role? We may just find out this upcoming season.
Daxton Hill, S, Cincinnati
We all know about the contract battle between the Bengals and free safety Jessie Bates. This will come to an end once free agency hits and Bates is playing in another uniform. When he leaves there will be a huge hole to fill, as Bates will take his 479 tackles, 14 interceptions, and 43 PBUs in 70 games with him. That production won’t be easy to replace but the Bengals have known this would have to be addressed one day and that day is now. They aren’t going to pay Bates what he wants and deserves, especially when they have a player on a rookie deal with multiple years left on his contract,
Daxton Hill is the next man up and has already shown flashes of what he’s capable of on the field this season as a rookie. His best game was a start versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he recorded eight tackles, with five being solos while playing 89% (66) of the defensive snaps. The Bengals didn’t select Hill with a 1st round pick to be a role player and his college production (149 tackles, 7½ TFLs, four interceptions, and 15 PBUs) suggests that he can fill the void. With Bates on the way out it will now be Hill’s time to carry the load.
John Ridgeway, DT, Washington
The Commanders have a huge decision on what to do with star defensive tackle Daron Payne. Can they get him signed to a long-term contract or do they use a tag on him? Or do they let him test free agency and possibly leave the ball club? How do you replace an IDL that is coming off a season in which he produced career-best in tackles (64) and sacks (11½)? It’s not an easy decision, but if they do let Payne walk, they have a youngster that is not only going to be much cheaper but can fill the opening if given the opportunity to do so.
If they do let Payne leave, then John Ridgeway is going to be tasked with filling that huge hole. He has the similar size, speed, power, and motor that Payne possesses and will cost a mere fraction of what Pyane will cost. In a limited role, Ridegway showed flashes that he’s more than capable of holding his own. Don’t get me wrong, losing Payne would be a definite blow to a defense that has other decisions to make soon as well. Do they believe Ridgeway can pick up the slack if Payne leaves? Does the cost saving with Ridgeway allow them to add other needed pieces? Everything is on the table and we’ll just have to wait and see.
All stats provided by Pro Football Reference
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
